Do yo spend more in a welcoming/free area?

[lee1983]

I’ve been in a few places already this year.

I’ve noticed myself more likely to do a bit more shopping (including taxidermy) and buying a take away instead of eating my supplies in places where there’s little or no parking charges and there’s a public toilet and/or chemical disposal point.

Does anyone else notice themselves doing this?

 

[Figaro]

Can't say I've ever noticed a connection between.my shopping habits and the proximity of chemical waste disposal points
Enjoy your travels though

 

[Roger S]

I wont park anyware that I cannot buy taxidermy, if there is loo emptying its just an added bonus

 

[PaulW2]

The parking wasn't that expensive, but the taxidermy was a bit iffy

 

[PaulC70]

I’ve been in a few places already this year.

I’ve noticed myself more likely to do a bit more shopping (including taxidermy) and buying a take away instead of eating my supplies in places where there’s little or no parking charges and there’s a public toilet and/or chemical disposal point.

Does anyone else notice themselves doing this?

Not only do I do this I actively seek out places that do it. The Isle of Skye is one of our "go to" places when we have a week or so off, also Mull both of which I've spent (on the Mrs) thousands in jewellry, food, beer, meals out, crafts etc etc. North Berwick free at the Rugby club, we always buy stuff and have a meal out, York at Hospital Road, again meals out, beer, trinkets.

I always think that if somewhere makes the effort for tourists like us, I'm far more likely to spend my money there.

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[tonka]

In winter months we often visit Shrewsbury, the council allow overnight stays on the Frankwell car park.
Usually go on a Sunday afternoon about 3-4pm, free parking on sundays and overnight. Daytime is about 40p an hour.
We visit a couple of popular pubs we like, eat at Spoons / Chinese or steak place. Next day visit town and breakfast somewhere.
So on those occasssions the town certainly wins our cash.

 

[lorger]

Depends if it’s just a stopover to sleep or for a day or two, if the latter we normally go for lunch in the town or village. We stopped at Breda for 2 nights last week for free, we ate lunch at the bar and spent €11 in the local ceramic shop and on both occasions we mentioned we had a MH and stayed in the Aire.

 

[jumar]

Interesting post..have you ever wondered why the free areas are there in the first place...Is it to encourage visitors to spend locally, or perhaps to control where motorhomers park and dispose of the waste.
Where do these small communities get there funding to build such places...Tourism.. encouraging people to their areas.... I've often wondered.
We know many places that offer all services including electricity points.all for free.

 

[PaulC70]

Interesting post..have you ever wondered why the free areas are there in the first place...Is it to encourage visitors to spend locally, or perhaps to control where motorhomers park and dispose of the waste.
Where do these small communities get there funding to build such places...Tourism.. encouraging people to their areas.... I've often wondered.
We know many places that offer all services including electricity points.all for free.

for free? many places? In the UK? Where?

 

[PaulC70]

In winter months we often visit Shrewsbury, the council allow overnight stays on the Frankwell car park.
Usually go on a Sunday afternoon about 3-4pm, free parking on sundays and overnight. Daytime is about 40p an hour.
We visit a couple of popular pubs we like, eat at Spoons / Chinese or steak place. Next day visit town and breakfast somewhere.
So on those occasssions the town certainly wins our cash.

Interesting, Shrewsbury's not somewhere we've thought about before I have to admit.

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[Jays2]

Depends if it’s just a stopover to sleep or for a day or two, if the latter we normally go for lunch in the town or village. We stopped at Breda for 2 nights last week for free, we ate lunch at the bar and spent €11 in the local ceramic shop and on both occasions we mentioned we had a MH and stayed in the Aire.

Did you cross from Newcastle?

 

[StillGoing]

In Australia and New Zealand, but especially in NZ, as you enter many small towns there are signs welcoming motorhomes and directing you to free parking and free water/grey water dump/chemical toilet dump stations. They are encouraging you to stay. Guess what, when you stay you spend money in their cafes and shops. Locals told us they want tourists to come and spend more money to help the local economy. I don’t think I once saw a parking warden.

In the UK it’s like towns (full of boarded up shops) are chasing visitors (and locals) away with high parking charges and petty restrictions. I’d love to see a town remove parking charges, get rid of expensive parking ticket machines and ANPR cameras, get rid of wardens, clearly signpost places to park (especially for motorhomes) and see what happens to the local economy.

Visitors help keep local businesses going and pay people’s wages.

 

[lorger]

Did you cross from Newcastle?

Sorry different one, it’s a small village in the hills of north east Spain.

 

[tonka]

Interesting, Shrewsbury's not somewhere we've thought about before I have to admit.

Done many rallys at the showground but the car park suits us for a 1 or 2 night winter stop.pedestrian bridge takes you direct to the town.
Hereford by the swimming baths is another we have done. Worcester also but we have not done that yet.

 

[Jays2]

Sorry different one, it’s a small village in the hills of north east Spain.

We crossed via Newcastle last week, there was a camper a few behind and put 2 and 2, thought it could have been you.
Did you cross to Spain?

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[lorger]

We crossed via Newcastle last week, there was a camper a few behind and put 2 and 2, thought it could have been you.
Did you cross to Spain?

We crossed from Newhaven to Dieppe on 9/4 then drove down through France, we’re currently in Daimus just next to Gandia.

 

[Nanniemate]

for free? many places? In the UK? Where?

Powys is very welcoming all council carpzrks free overnight and many have loos

 

[fishplug]

I always think that if somewhere makes the effort for tourists like us, I'm far more likely to spend my money there.

Exactly my view.

If I'm made to feel welcome then I'll spend more time there and therefore more money.

If I'm not then I'll maybe buy fuel if I need it, but not much else.

 

[SVMC15]

Definitely yes!

 

[gus-lopez]

for free? many places? In the UK? Where?

No,in Spain

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[Dorwyn]

I've just noticed this thread title. It could be said that the sort of people who go miles out of their way to save a few pennies are not the sort ot people who are going to readily spend money locally. I'm just wondering if that's behind the thinking of the local authorities?

 

[Dorwyn]

I've just noticed this thread title. It could be said that the sort of people who go miles out of their way to save a few pennies are not the sort of people who are going to readily spend money locally. I'm just wondering if that's behind the thinking of the local authorities?

 

[two]

I suppose that €5 saved on parking might yield €5 more to spend in the bakery...

 

[Baggydave]

I’ve been in a few places already this year.

I’ve noticed myself more likely to do a bit more shopping (including taxidermy) and buying a take away instead of eating my supplies in places where there’s little or no parking charges and there’s a public toilet and/or chemical disposal point.

Does anyone else notice themselves doing this?

If we are staying over for free we always shop local or spend in a cafe/bar. In Europe if locals come round selling fruit etc we always buy. (Not seen this in Uk) They then have a reason to welcome/support Motorhomers & our money definitely goes where we want it too.
I also carry a litter picker & clear up around us if needed.

 

[PaulC70]

Done many rallys at the showground but the car park suits us for a 1 or 2 night winter stop.pedestrian bridge takes you direct to the town.
Hereford by the swimming baths is another we have done. Worcester also but we have not done that yet.

I'll have to remember those, never been that way at all I have to admit as we nearly always head up the A1 into Scotland, though we are going to Ireland next weekend for a fortnight and may go Holyhead so nearly any of those may be an option this trip or another.

I've just noticed this thread title. It could be said that the sort of people who go miles out of their way to save a few pennies are not the sort ot people who are going to readily spend money locally. I'm just wondering if that's behind the thinking of the local authorities?

I mean, no one's saying that? While Im not a FLT (which you appear to be inferring here) I prioritise location over price due to the wife's disability, so I'll happily pay £20 for a car park in the middle or right on the edge of a nice town over £10 or even a free Aire thats not as convenient.
I think the original intent though of the thread was from a tourism point of view not saving pennies.

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[PaulW2]

I've just noticed this thread title. It could be said that the sort of people who go miles out of their way to save a few pennies are not the sort of people who are going to readily spend money locally. I'm just wondering if that's behind the thinking of the local authorities?

I've had a similar thought.

In very popular tourist areas people will spend money regardless. Parking costs more and maybe partly serves as a way of managing demand.

In areas where there are few visitors, and where they are trying to attract visitors, parking may be cheaper or free. Visitors spend what they do. Those who go out of their way to find free parking are, on average, probably less likely to spend freely.

Would I spend more in an area just because parking is free? Personally, it wouldn't even occur to me to reward the local businesses for municipal policies.

 

[Dorwyn]

I've had a similar thought.

In very popular tourist areas people will spend money regardless. Parking costs more and maybe partly serves as a way of managing demand.

In areas where there are few visitors, and where they are trying to attract visitors, parking may be cheaper or free. Visitors spend what they do. Those who go out of their way to find free parking are, on average, probably less likely to spend freely.

Would I spend more in an area just because parking is free? Personally, it wouldn't even occur to me to reward the local businesses for municipal policies.

Yes, likewise. What I'm wondering is, is that behind the decision makers' thinking? Is this why they clamp down on Motorhomers. My nephew had a business in Scarborough and so was involved with the town council, and was saying that he was trying to resist the negativity there towards us.

 

[chaser]

We spend in local bars and restaurants wherever we stay that's why we have gone there, what else are you going to do , just sit in the van?

 

[Dorwyn]

We spend in local bars and restaurants wherever we stay that's why we have gone there, what else are you going to do , just sit in the van?

Who is arguing?

 

[chaser]

Who is arguing?

Not me just answering the question.

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